PAST PRESIDENT | 

Mayra O. Martínez, DScPAs, MS, MPAS, PA-C attended the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) where she received a   Bachelor’s of Science with a major in Biology and Math with a minor in Chemistry. She then received a Master’s of Science in   Mathematical Sciences and a Master’s of Science in Physician Assistant Studies. She continued her studies and received a Doctorate of   Science in Physician Assistant Studies from the Massachusetts College of Pharmacology and Health Sciences (MCPHS). Her   dissertation   was focused on pediatric obesity in the Rio Grande Valley. She also has a background in teaching and taught at the   Mathematics   department at UTRGV as well as high school science. She has been practicing medicine with a focus on rural medicine,   family medicine,   and pediatrics. She was the first elected President-Elect of the Rio Grande Valley PA Society. She is also a part of   several committees of   TAPA and a member of AAPA.

 pRESIDENT - eLECT | Julie Klinger, PA-C

Julie graduated from Baylor College of Medicine's Physician Assistant program in 2015. She currently works in pediatric hematopoietic   stem cell transplant at Texas Children's Hospital in Houston, Texas. She is a member of Texas Children's Cancer and Hematology   Centers' Beyond Protocols committee which brings social events to patients who have undergone bone marrow transplants. She also   enjoys working with the Baylor College of Medicine PA program as a clinical preceptor and mentor. 

SECRETARY  | CAITLIN DAVENPORT, MPAS, PA-C

I have always been an advocate for the PA's role in advanced, quality pediatric care. In my position as an APP professional development  specialist, I have proposed, executed, and assisted with a myriad of projects and programs to continue the growth of advanced practice  providers in my institution while advocating for the fair and equitable treatment of PA's. My most valuable tool in my current role that   will be of value in this prospective role this prospective role is my ability to communicate clearly. As secretary, I hope to continue to   bring innovative ideas to the table and look forward to assisting other members with the launch of theirs for the ultimate goal of  excellent pediatric care.

TREASURER | MARK ELSESSER, MHS, PA-C

Mark Elsesser, MHS, PA-C, CLC was born and raised in Long Island, NY. He attended the Entry-Level Master’s Physician Assistant (ELMPA) Program at Quinnipiac University, and received his Bachelor of Science in Health Science Studies in 2017 and his Master of Health Science in Physician Assistant Studies in 2019. At graduation, Mark was awarded the Director’s Award for his commitment to PA training. He currently practices in pediatric primary care in Manchester, CT. His special interests include newborn care, lactation medicine, and well child care.  To further his understanding of lactation medicine, he received his Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) training from the Healthy Children Project in 2021.  In addition to being a Fellow of SPAP, he is also a Fellow of the American Academy of PAs (AAPA), the Connecticut Academy of Physician Assistants (ConnAPA), and a National Affiliate of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP). Mark is excited to bring his energy to the SPAP Board of Directors as a Member at Large.

MEMBER AT LARGE | AMY BARRETT, MSPAS, PA-C, CLC

Amy was born and raised in Northeast Pennsylvania. She attended King’s College and received her Master of Science in Phyisician   Assistant Studies in 2006 with a minor in health care administration. She has been practicing in Outpatient General Pediatrics for the   past 18 years with Geisinger Health System in Pottsville, PA. Her special interests include breastfeeding, child safety, and teaching   students. She is also a Certified Lactation Counselor (CLC) and holds her National Child Passenger Safety Certification in efforts to   better help her patients. Amy also is a National Affliliate with the American Academy of Pediatrics AAP and a Fellow with the   Pennsylvania Society of Physician Assistants (PSPA), where she serves as a regional representative. She currently lives in Barnesville,   PA with her husband and 2 boys.

MEMBER AT LARGE | Meredeth Alley, PA-C

Meredith grew up in Texas, attended undergrad at UNC Chapel Hill and then attended PA school at Arcadia University, in the suburbs of Philadelphia.  She was the first physician assistant in pediatric urology at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and has continued to work there for the past 15 years. Meredith enjoys teaching, orienting new hires, and helping adult patients with congenital urologic anomalies safely transition to adult care. She also joined the faculty at Thomas Jefferson University's PA Program in Philadelphia in 2020 and enjoys helping educate future PA's.

MEMBER AT LARGE | Daniel Wood, PA-C

Daniel Wood has been in practice as a physician assistant with an emphasis in pediatrics since graduation in 2000.  Currently, he practices both inpatient and outpatient pediatrics.  He works in the Cardiac Intensive Care Unit(PICU) at the University of Texas at Austin.  Also, he is a clinical instructor with the School of Medicine at University of Texas Health Science Center in San Antonio in San Antonio, Texas.  He works outpatient at Pediatric Care of Austin in Austin, Texas.  He is a fellow of the American Academy of Physician Assistants.  He is the recipient of the Pediatric PA of the year for 2018. He also works internationally annually providing care to children in the community Quetzaltenango, Guatemala supervising medical students from the University of Texas Medical School in San Antonio.